Axle adjustment apparatus

Abstract

An apertured track and brace system for mounting a slider for adjusting the weight distribution of a semi-trailer. The apertured track is adapted to be mounted to both a semi trailer and to a carriage carrying a rear axle tandem, while a single type of brace is adapted to link the apertured track to other elements operable to slidably longitudinally position the axle tandem relative to the semi trailer itself.

I claim as my invention:  
     
       1. In a system for adjusting the position of the dual rear axle assembly of a semi-trailer of the type having a track extending longitudinally along the bottom thereof which is provided with a longitudinal array of apertures; a slidable carriage, supporting a dual rear axle assembly having wheels at each end of its axles; said carriage being mounted on said track for sliding motion along said track to a desired position; and pin means affixed to said carriage, said pin means being extendable into said apertures to fix the position of said carriage with respect to said track and being retractable to permit sliding of said carriage along said track; braking means for holding said semi-trailer fixed while leaving said wheels free to roll along the ground; controllable carriage-positioning means for selectively adjusting the longitudinal position of said carriage along said track as said wheels thereof roll along the ground; the improvement comprising the combination therewith of: 
       (a) one or more of pairs of substantially identical parallel tracks, the tracks each comprising a base flange, having a plurality of mounting apertures adapted to receive fastening means for securing the track to the trailer, a side flange, at a substantially right angle to the base flange and having a plurality of apertures in the side flange adapted to receive retaining members that are either retractably inserted therein in order to maintain and fix the position of the wheels, or fixedly inserted therein to mount mechanical elements to the tracks, and  
       (b) one or more pairs of braces, each brace comprising a shaft, terminating in a mounting flange at each end thereof, the mounting flanges having parallel bores adapted to receive a retaining member, the mounting flanges being mounted on the shaft at complimentary angles to provide an offset distance therebetween.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein two parallel pairs of tracks and two pairs of braces are combined to form a pyramidal brace structure having four braces as the legs thereof, for providing a dimensionally stable mounting point for attachment of the mechanical elelments to the tracks, wherein the tracks are mounted to the trailer at a lateral offset distance adapted to provide lateral spacing of the mounting flanges of the braces when the bores therein are longitudinally aligned.